Doing The Roofing Job / Installing Your New Roof

Preparing/Protecting The Job Area

Some general suggestions for
preparing the job area:

Make sure you have a clean, organized work area. Block it off from children and
pets. Identify and avoid all site danger areas, such as dangerous power lines, unsafe
roof access areas, and underground hazards (such as cesspools and power lines).

Remove wall hangings as well as any loose items from walls and shelves. Use tarps
to avoid damaging plants and shrubs. Park any cars or other vehicles away from the
driveway and a safe distance from the construction area. Disable any sprinkler systems.
Cover any pools and hot tubs, and remove any other sensitive items around the house
that might be damaged by falling roofing debris.

Tearing Off The Roof And Preparing The Roof Deck

Nothing is more important in roofing than preparing the surface under the shingles.
With a roof tear-off, when the old materials are removed, you’ll have a clean deck
that allows you to see any potential problems that need to be fixed. This could
range from rotten wood to cracked boards to an unsound deck that won’t hold nails
as well.

For the proper methods for tearing off a roof and preparing the roof deck, see our
How-To-Video.

Installing Leak Barrier

Starter Strip Shingles

One of the most common sources of failure in a roof system is the improper installation
of starter shingles. This starter course is very important, especially for wind
resistance. Starter strip shingles are the first line of defense against wind uplift
along the edges of a roof. GAF offers pre-cut WeatherBlocker™ and Pro-Start® Starter Strips.

For the proper installation technique for starter strip shingles, see our How-To-Video.

Proper Shingle Nailing

Nailing errors, such as under-driven or angled nails, can cause future problems
with your shingles—everything from premature failure and blistering to blow-offs.
Nail type, location, length, angle, and force of application are all critical to
consider when installing shingles. It’s important to take your time when installing
nails to insure the job is done correctly.

Installing Your Shingles

Installing Timberline® Shingles

Timberline®
Shingles with Advanced Protection® Technology are the #1-selling
shingles in all of North America. Timberline® Shingles will not only
protect your most valuable asset—they’ll beautify your home for years to come.

For the proper installation technique for Timberline®, see our
How-To-Video.

Installing Ridge Vents

Proper ventilation is critical for helping to reduce hot and moist air in your attic
space that can damage your possessions, increase your energy costs, and potentially
reduce the longevity of your roofing system. The Federal Housing Authority, in the U.S. the
Engineered Wood Association, many national building codes, and all major roofing
manufacturers require the installation of attic ventilation. GAF offers one of the industry’s
most
comprehensive line of ridge vents.

Installing ridge vents requires working on some of the highest parts of your roof—the
ridges. Always utilize proper safety equipment to prevent falls or injury when installing
ridge vents on your roof. See our
Safety section for more details.

Deciding on the proper vent and the amount of ventilation needed is critical. Consult
your local building code for balanced attic ventilation requirements in your area.
Once you decide on the type of vent that is needed and how much to install, always
ensure you install the vent as per written application instructions. Be careful
not to cut any attic rafters or wires, and always ensure to properly fasten the
vent to prevent blow-off or weather infiltration.

Installing Ridge Cap Shingles

Hip or ridge cap shingles are not only a great finishing touch to your roof, they
are also a critical piece of your roof system that helps to protect some of the
highest stress and vulnerable areas on your roof. GAF offers premium ridge cap shingles designed to match your GAF laminated
shingles.

Installing hip or ridge shingles requires working on some of the highest parts of
your roof—the hips and ridges. Always utilize proper safety equipment to prevent
falls or injury when installing hip or ridge shingles on your roof.

Cleaning Up The Job Site

Professional roofing contractors develop specialized techniques and equipment for
keeping the jobsite clean. Tackling the job on your own, you can adopt some of these
practices as well. Some quick tips are to shelter and protect bushes and plants
that might be affected by material dropping from the roof, and to use a tarp to
catch as much material as possible. Many roofing contractors follow a completed
job by running a magnet over the ‘drop zone’ to collect any nails that might have
escaped.

How Long Will It Take?

Realistically, do-it-yourself roofing can take a lot of time and effort. It depends
on various factors, such as your level of experience, the size of your roof, whether
or not you need to do a complete tear-off of the existing roof, how much preparation
your roof deck needs, and how many people are assisting you. Since it’s important
not to leave your roof unprotected for any length of time, you must allow at least
several uninterrupted days in a row to work on the project.

Keep in mind that a professional roofing contractor with a crew will finish the
job more quickly and efficiently.